Alaska Railroad Corporation-Construction and Operation Exemption-A Rail Line Extension to Port MacKenzie, AK

The Board is granting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 for Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) to construct and operate an approximately 35-mile rail line connecting the Port MacKenzie District in south-central Alaska to a point on ARRC's existing main line near Houston, Alaska. The rail line would provide freight services between Port MacKenzie and the interior of Alaska and would support Port MacKenzie's continuing development as an intermodal and bulk material resources export and import facility. This exemption is subject to environmental mitigation conditions and the condition that ARRC build the route designated as environmentally preferable.